Monday, 19 March 2012

A Patriotic Night At The Royal Albert Hall

I would like to think of myself as a reasonably well travelled person. However, there are a few occasions where I become very very British. One of these occasions is my annual visit to the Royal Albert Hall to enjoy the Classical Spectacular.

Twice a year the Royal Albert Hall is home to an amazing extravaganza of classical music, fireworks and flag waving along with oodles of pomp and ceremony. The London Philharmonic Orchestra performs a collection of the the best classics, all of which are easily recognisable and often you find yourself clapping long to the tunes or waving your flags.

Below is a video clip from the "Last Night Of The BBC Proms". Which is a very similar event held once a year. This video clip is a great way of seeing the Royal Albert Hall in all of it's splendour, and also a great way of capturing the atmosphere of the finale, which is always "Land Of Hope And Glory". I confess to getting rather emotional and teary eyed when singing this in such an amazing location. I am very very English, and some things simply reach deep inside and tug upon those patriotic heart strings of mine.

Those of you who know me, know that I only do things like this properly. So I booked tickets for the best seats of the house. Two seats in a box at the centre of the "Grand Tier". When you sit in this location, you get to see the whole auditorium and capture the electric atmosphere and sound from every direction.
It will come as no surprise to you that I did take my little faithful camera and captured a few pics from the evening. They do not really capture the mood and the magic of the moment, but give a tiny little flavour of elegance, the colours and the lights and lasers.

I hope this has wetted your appetite. The only thing left to do, is for you to jump over to the Royal Albert Hall website and check the "What's On" section, and book yourself some tickets to one of the amazing shows!

Harrods is just around the corner from the Royal Albert Hall. I love Harrods too, but didn't make it there this weekend. However, I did spend a while shopping in Fortnum & Masons and gazing into the shop windows of Burlington Arcade.

Graham's Photobook....Through The Eyes Of A Dreamer

Who is Graham Ettridge?

Graham Ettridge is an Englishman with a curious and wandering soul. Born in Shakespeare’s birthplace town of Stratford Upon Avon in England during the early 1970’s, Graham then grew up in the wonderful county of Wiltshire in England. From here, he has developed a true passion for travel and photography.

The Author's Statement

“It all started with “Oh my goodness! I’m in my late 20’s, I’m single and I have done nothing with my life”. The realisation that hit me like a freight train one spring morning in 2002. My period of procrastination had to come to an end. So, whilst supping a beer in my local pub with a friend, we decided to go on an adventure – and within a few days had arranged a trek through the Sinai desert in Egypt – That’s how it started, and as any avid traveller will know, once you catch the travel bug it never goes away, it just gets stronger. Each time you cross one destination off the top of your list, you add another two to the bottom. The desire to experience new cultures; the want to meet new people; the need to learn more about yourself….it’s all just a footstep away.

“My camera has provided good company during my travels, enabling me to capture some of the special moments that I have experienced. Part of my passion with photography is to take an unusual view of the things around me. To open my eyes wider and to absorb the wonders of nature, architecture, people and objects that very often we take for granted.

“I am a novice photographer, but have an ambition to develop and enhance my technique whilst still trying to hold on to my raw appreciation of life.”